Richmond Casino Backers Throw Block Party to Rally Support

Posted on: October 30, 2023, 08:25h. 

Last updated on: October 30, 2023, 01:56h.

Supporters hoping the Richmond casino referendum passes next month held a block party over the weekend. Thousands turned out for a free concert headlined by The Isley Brothers.

Richmond residents, during the November 7 election, will decide if a proposed $562 million project called the Richmond Grand Resort & Casino will be greenlit. Voters rejected a similar pitch during the November 2020 election by 51-49% tally.

Urban One, a Black-focused media conglomerate, is back for a second try to enter the gaming industry. The company has the support of the Richmond City Council, which picked Urban One to be its preferred casino developer should voters support a gambling enterprise.

Urban One is partnered with Churchill Downs for its 2023 bid. The partnership seeks voter approval to build an integrated resort on 97 acres adjacent to the Philip Morris headquarters on the city’s south side. The property is just off Interstate 95.

As for the casino, the 90,000-square-foot gaming space would include about 1,800 slot machines, 100 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook.

Concert Sells Out

Urban One and Churchill Downs have allocated an $8 million campaign war chest to promote its cause, and some of those funds were used to throw quite a shindig this weekend.

The block party was held at the Hickory Hill Community Center, about two miles from the proposed project site. The Hickory Hill Community Center is one of Richmond’s three early voting centers.

The Saturday event offered free food and a concert from The Isley Brothers, who made Twist and Shout famous for its 1961 rendition of the song originally recorded by the Top Notes. Who’s That Lady? is another iconic track from the rhythm-and-blues group.

Though the party was reserved for people aged 21 and older, the event quickly sold out before it even began. The Richmond Grand Resort & Casino website said the concert had issued its maximum allotment of 6,000 tickets before the party beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Churchill Downs and Urban One canvassers have also been giving out free Uber rides and meal vouchers to residents who promise to use the handouts to make it easier for them to vote early or on election day.

Faith Leaders Sign On

There is plenty of opposition to the Richmond casino project, as well as the city forcing a second referendum on voters who only in 2020 rejected a gaming initiative. But Churchill Downs and Urban One seem to be on a winning streak lately.

Along with a strong turnout for its party, the casino project last week gained the support of over a dozen faith leaders in the area. Some 13 pastors from across the city wrote a letter in support of the Richmond Grand Resort & Casino.

We believe the proposed Richmond Grand will give more Richmonders an opportunity for a great job, deliver real investment in communities that are too often forgotten, and help create a stronger, safer city,” the letter read.

“Richmond Grand will create 1,300 good-paying, union careers with benefits, in addition to thousands of jobs during construction. The revenue generated by Richmond Grand will allow our city to better serve its residents, especially Richmond’s children, without raising taxes,” the pastors added.